EP3705280B1 - Production system and method for producing a fibre composite component - Google Patents

Production system and method for producing a fibre composite component Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3705280B1
EP3705280B1 EP20161270.2A EP20161270A EP3705280B1 EP 3705280 B1 EP3705280 B1 EP 3705280B1 EP 20161270 A EP20161270 A EP 20161270A EP 3705280 B1 EP3705280 B1 EP 3705280B1
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Prior art keywords
robot unit
fibre
unit
module
robot
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP3705280A1 (en
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Andreas Kolbe
Dominik Delisle
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Deutsches Zentrum fuer Luft und Raumfahrt eV
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Deutsches Zentrum fuer Luft und Raumfahrt eV
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    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29CSHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C70/00Shaping composites, i.e. plastics material comprising reinforcements, fillers or preformed parts, e.g. inserts
    • B29C70/04Shaping composites, i.e. plastics material comprising reinforcements, fillers or preformed parts, e.g. inserts comprising reinforcements only, e.g. self-reinforcing plastics
    • B29C70/28Shaping operations therefor
    • B29C70/30Shaping by lay-up, i.e. applying fibres, tape or broadsheet on a mould, former or core; Shaping by spray-up, i.e. spraying of fibres on a mould, former or core
    • B29C70/38Automated lay-up, e.g. using robots, laying filaments according to predetermined patterns

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a production plant for producing a fiber composite component from a fiber composite material having a fiber material and a matrix material embedding the fiber material.
  • the invention also relates to a method for this.
  • Fiber composite materials are now indispensable in the aerospace industry. Critical structural elements in particular are made from fiber-reinforced plastics due to the high weight-specific strength and rigidity of the material. In addition to dry semi-finished fiber products, so-called prepregs are also used, in which the fibers are already pre-impregnated with a matrix material. Due to the anisotropic properties of the fiber composite materials resulting from the fiber orientation, components can be adapted more precisely to local loads and thus enable optimal material utilization in terms of lightweight construction.
  • large stationary portal systems are usually used in which the end effector for depositing the fibers is mounted on a movable bridge. Due to the different axes of the end effector and the portal system, material can be placed on multiply curved contours.
  • a fiber laying system is also known in which a rail system is arranged around a fixed mold, on which several robots are provided so as to be movable around the tool.
  • the individual robots have a laying head as an end effector, with which fibers can be laid on the forming tool arranged in the middle of the rail system.
  • a production plant for producing a fiber composite component having a tool with a shaping tool surface for producing a fiber preform.
  • the production plant also has a mobile robot unit that has a movement unit that is designed to drive over the shaping tool surface.
  • the mobile robot unit can be used to carry out at least part of the manufacturing process when manufacturing the fiber preform, with the mobile robot unit having a work module for this purpose, which enables the corresponding part of the manufacturing process, such as the placement of fiber material on the tool.
  • the mobile robot unit is supplied with energy using accumulators or wirelessly using laser beams that are directed at the moving mobile robot unit.
  • the disadvantage here is that the capacity of the accumulators is severely restricted due to the limited abdominal space of the mobile robot units, as a result of which permanent autonomous operation of the mobile robot unit cannot be guaranteed.
  • the energy supply using laser beams directed at the mobile robot unit has the disadvantage that the fibers to be laid during the production process or the fibers that have already been laid can be damaged by excessive energy input.
  • systems of this type for supplying energy to mobile robot units are very expensive and require special protective measures for the personnel, which means that they are very expensive to purchase and operate.
  • a production plant for producing a fiber composite component from a fiber composite material comprising a fiber material and a matrix material embedding the fiber material, the production plant having a tool and at least one robot unit.
  • the tool has a shaping tool surface on which a fiber preform can be produced by depositing fiber material.
  • the shaping tool surface usually represents a negative form of the subsequent component shape, so that the component receives its corresponding component geometry through the shaping tool surface.
  • other elements, components or auxiliary materials for producing a vacuum structure such as a vacuum foil, a separating fleece or a sealing strip, can be applied to the shaping tool surface.
  • the fiber preform to be produced consists only of the fiber materials to be deposited (dry or pre-impregnated), which is the case in particular when closed molds are used.
  • a so-called open-mold technology is usually used, in which the fiber materials are placed on a mold and sealed airtight with a vacuum film, so that the area under the vacuum film that contains the fibers can be evacuated and thus the matrix material can be infused at a later date.
  • the fiber preform can therefore not only consist of the pure fiber material, but also continue to have auxiliary materials such as release fleece, tear-off fabric, vacuum film or sealing tape and thus include the complete vacuum build-up including the fibers.
  • the fiber preform can therefore also contain sensors and/or actuators incorporated into the fiber material.
  • the production plant also has at least one robot unit which has at least one work module which is provided for carrying out at least one production step in the production of the fiber preform.
  • a working module can be a fiber laying module, for example, with which fiber materials can be placed on the shaping tool surface.
  • a fiber laying module can be a fiber laying head, for example, which can lay down fiber material, which is continuously fed to it, in the form of an end effector.
  • the robot unit also has a movement unit, by means of which the working module, for example the end effector, can be moved over the tool surface of the mold and/or fiber materials of the fiber preform placed thereon.
  • the movement unit of the robot unit can be designed such that it has wheels and/or rollers and/or other wheel elements, so that the robot unit can be moved in contact over the shaping tool surface or fiber materials deposited thereon.
  • the robot unit is able to move on the shaping tool surface by means of the movement unit.
  • the movement unit can also be an articulated-arm robot, at the kinematic end of which the working module is arranged as an end effector. In this case, the movement unit is designed to move or move the working module without contact over the shaping tool surface and/or over the deposited fiber materials.
  • the production plant has an energy supply device for supplying electrical energy to the at least one robot unit, the energy supply device being designed for wireless energy transmission of electrical energy by means of electromagnetic fields.
  • the energy supply device being designed for wireless energy transmission of electrical energy by means of electromagnetic fields.
  • one or more transmitters for generating electromagnetic fields for the purpose of wireless energy transmission are provided in the tool or the shaping tool surface, with at least one receiver for receiving electromagnetic fields for the purpose of wireless energy transmission being arranged in the robot unit.
  • the robot unit is now designed to convert the electromagnetic fields received by the at least one receiver into electrical energy in order to supply the robot unit with electrical energy using the electromagnetic fields.
  • the mobile robot units Due to the fact that there is no wired power supply for the mobile robot units, the mobile robot units can move more freely and have an almost unlimited radius of action in relation to the mold.
  • the inventors have recognized that in the field of manufacturing fiber composite components, an electrical energy supply by means of electromagnetic fields is possible in such a way that the robot units involved in the manufacturing process can be reliably supplied with electrical energy using the electromagnetic fields. It has been shown that with the help of wireless energy transmission using electromagnetic fields, the robot units can also be reliably supplied with electrical energy when laying fiber materials and when monitoring the quality of laid fiber materials.
  • the present invention thus compensates for the disadvantage of the production systems known from the prior art, especially with large contact surfaces, since the end effector required for carrying out the respective production step can now be supplied with electrical energy almost indefinitely and almost independently.
  • At least one of the robot units has an energy storage device that is provided for supplying electrical energy to the robot unit, the robot unit also being set up to feed the electrical energy transmitted wirelessly and received by the receiver of the respective robot unit into the energy storage device.
  • the robot unit is then further designed to use the electrical energy stored in the electrical energy store to supply power to at least part of the robot unit.
  • This can be, for example, the operation of the work module to carry out the respective production step.
  • the movement unit of the robot unit to be supplied with electrical energy from the energy store in order to move the robot unit.
  • the energy store of the robot unit has one or more capacitors, in particular supercapacitors.
  • the supercapacitors in particular have the advantage that they can be charged very quickly.
  • the disadvantage of the lower energy density in relation to conventional accumulators and the associated lower charging capacity can be compensated for by increasing the number of transmitters in the mold, so that, statistically speaking, the robot units very often have the opportunity to charge the energy storage device, which consists of capacitors, with electrical energy.
  • a plurality of transmitters for wireless energy transmission are arranged in an edge area of the shaping tool surface of the tool. It can be provided that outside of these edge areas, i. H. in particular in those areas in which the fiber preform is produced, no transmitters for wireless energy transmission of the energy supply device are provided. As a result, the robot units are only supplied with electrical energy by the transmitters for wireless energy transmission using electromagnetic fields when the robot unit or a part of the robot unit that contains the receiver for the electromagnetic fields is moved or moved into the edge area of the shaping tool surface.
  • the robot unit is an object that can be moved on the mold (e.g. by means of wheels), then the robot unit is always supplied with electrical energy when it is moved to the edge area of the mold.
  • the receiver or receivers for the electromagnetic fields for the purpose of wireless energy transmission are located in the robot unit, for example in the work module or in the movement unit. If, on the other hand, it is an articulated-arm robot at the kinematic end of which the work module is arranged as an end effector, it is advantageous if the receiver or receivers for the electromagnetic fields for the purpose of wireless energy transmission are located in the work module the end effector or near the end effector. If the end effector is now moved to the edge area of the mold with the transmitters with the help of the articulated-arm robot, a corresponding energy supply can take place here.
  • the working module of the robot unit is a fiber laying module, an auxiliary substance module, an application module and/or a quality module.
  • the fiber laying module is designed to lay down fiber material on the shaping tool surface for producing the fiber preform.
  • a fiber laying module has at least one pressure roller or a pressure unit with which the fiber material to be laid can be pressed onto the shaping tool surface when the robot unit or the working module is moved over the shaping tool surface.
  • the fiber material can be laid down by means of the fiber laying module while driving over the shaping tool surface.
  • the auxiliary material module is designed to apply auxiliary materials to the laid fiber material in order to produce a vacuum build-up of the fiber preform.
  • auxiliaries can be, for example, vacuum films, separating nonwovens, tear-off plies, flow aids and/or sealing tapes.
  • the auxiliary substances it is also conceivable for the auxiliary substances to be applied or introduced in the form of auxiliary substance packets, which are made up of several layers of different auxiliary substances, with the aid of the auxiliary substance module.
  • the application module is designed to apply sensors and/or actuators to the laid fiber material of the fiber preform.
  • the sensors and/or actuators are applied during the movement of the work module over the shaping tool surface.
  • the quality module as a working module is designed to check the quality of the fiber preform, in particular the laying quality of the laid fiber materials.
  • a quality module can have, for example, an infrared sensor, a laser light section sensor and/or an eddy current sensor, with the help of which then in particular the deposited fiber materials can be checked and examined with regard to fiber orientation, fiber alignment and other quality features.
  • the quality of the deposited fibers or the entire fiber preform is checked during the movement of the working module via the shaping tool surface.
  • the quality module can also be set up in such a way that the quality of auxiliary materials and/or applied elements such as sensors and/or actuators that have been introduced into the fiber preform are checked. This means that not only the quality of the deposited fiber materials can be checked fully automatically, but also the entire vacuum build-up including the auxiliary materials.
  • At least one of the robot units is a mobile robot unit whose movement unit is designed to travel over the shaping tool surface in order to move the mobile robot unit on the shaping tool surface.
  • This can be a mobile robotic unit, as from the DE 10 2015 100 102 A1 known, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
  • At least one of the robot units has an articulated-arm robot as the movement unit, on which the at least one working module is arranged as an end effector.
  • the energy supply device is designed for inductive, wireless energy transmission, with induction coils being provided in the tool as transmitters.
  • induction coils can also be provided as receivers in the robot units in order to be able to receive the electromagnetic fields emitted by the transmitters for the purpose of wireless energy transmission.
  • the principle of inductive coupling or capacitive coupling can be used for the purpose of wireless energy transmission.
  • figure 1 shows the production plant 10 according to the invention, which has a tool or mold 11, in a highly simplified, schematic representation.
  • the molding tool 11 has a shaping tool surface 12 on which the fiber material 13 for producing a fiber preform 14 can be deposited.
  • the fiber materials 13 are laid down with the help of a mobile robot unit 20, which has an in figure 1 has not shown the work module.
  • the working module of the robot unit 20 is designed to deposit the quasi-endless fiber materials 13, which, with the help of the robot unit 20, are in band form and in figure 1 diagonally to the mold 11 that is present in a substantially rectangular shape.
  • the mobile robot unit 20 can lay down a next fiber storage device of fiber material 13 on the fiber material that has already been laid down, in which case a fiber orientation that differs from the fiber layer underneath is usually laid down in order to to give the later component a high level of strength and rigidity.
  • the mobile robot unit 20 works autonomously and is designed in particular to drive over the shaping tool surface 12 or fiber material 13 already placed thereon. While the mobile robot unit 20 moves over the shaping tool surface 12 , the fiber material 13 is continuously deposited on the tool 11 .
  • the mobile robot unit 20 is neither connected to a power cable for the wired power supply, nor is the robot unit 20 supplied with electrical energy using laser beams.
  • the mobile robot unit 20 is supplied with electrical energy inductively, with a plurality of transmitters 16 in the form of induction coils being provided for this purpose in an edge region 15 of the mold 11, which are designed for the purpose of wireless energy transmission for generating electromagnetic fields.
  • the transmitters 16 in the edge area 15 of the mold 11 are part of an electrical energy supply device for supplying electrical energy to the robot unit 20.
  • the mobile robot unit 20 now has at least one receiver for receiving the electromagnetic fields for wireless energy transmission, as will be described in detail later, in order to be able to supply the mobile robot unit 20 with electrical energy. If the mobile robot unit 20 has completely deposited a web of fiber material 13 on the shaping tool surface 12, the mobile robot unit 20 is located in the edge area 15 of the molding tool 11. In this area, the mobile robot unit 20 must now turn or assume a new orientation or position , in order to lay down a new fibrous web of fibrous material 13 adjacent to the fibrous web that has just been laid down.
  • the mobile robot unit 20 can receive the electromagnetic fields emitted by the transmitters 16 and convert them into electrical energy. Since the mobile robot unit 20 in the embodiment of figure 1 cannot be supplied with electrical energy in the actual depositing area of the mold 11 since there are no induction coils here, the electrical energy transmitted in the edge area 15 is temporarily stored in an electrical energy store of the mobile robot unit 20 . It has been shown that with the help of the induction coils in the edge area 15, sufficient electrical energy can be transferred to the mobile robot unit 20 so that the mobile robot unit 20 can travel to the opposite edge area without consuming any further energy and thereby deposit fiber material 13, where it can then be picked up again electrical energy is supplied from the induction coils. This makes it possible for the mobile robot unit 20 to be able to operate on the mold in an almost unlimited manner with regard to the energy supply.
  • figure 2 shows a schematic representation of a mobile robot unit 20 in detail.
  • the mobile robot unit 20 has a movement unit 21 which is set up by means of wheels and a drive to move the mobile robot unit 20 on the forming tool surface 12 of the forming tool 11 with contact.
  • the mobile robot unit 20 also has a work module 22, which in the embodiment of figure 2 is a fiber laying module for laying down fiber material. With the help of the fiber laying module, the mobile robot unit 20 can deposit the fiber material 13 on the shaping tool surface 12 while driving on the shaping tool surface 12 .
  • the mobile robot unit 20 also has a receiver 24 for receiving electromagnetic fields for wireless energy transmission, the receiver 24 of the mobile robot unit 20 being connected to an energy store 23 .
  • the energy store 23 can be made up of capacitors or supercapacitors, the capacity of which can be charged very quickly.
  • the electromagnetic fields generated by the induction coils 16 in the edge area 15 of the mold 11 are received by the receiver 24 of the mobile robot unit 20 and converted into electrical energy. This electrical energy resulting from the conversion is then fed into the energy store 23 in order to charge the energy store 23 .
  • the mobile robot unit 20 is designed in such a way that at least part of its functionality, preferably all functions, are supplied with the electrical energy stored in the electrical energy store 23, so that the mobile robot unit can move on the mold 11 wirelessly with regard to the electrical energy supply.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Robotics (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Composite Materials (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Moulding By Coating Moulds (AREA)

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft eine Fertigungsanlage zur Herstellung eines Faserverbundbauteils aus einem Faserverbundwerkstoff aufweisend ein Fasermaterial und ein das Fasermaterial einbettendes Matrixmaterial. Die Erfindung betrifft ebenso ein Verfahren hierzu.The invention relates to a production plant for producing a fiber composite component from a fiber composite material having a fiber material and a matrix material embedding the fiber material. The invention also relates to a method for this.

Faserverbundwerkstoffe sind aus der Luft- und Raumfahrt heute nicht mehr wegzudenken. Insbesondere kritische Strukturelemente werden aufgrund der hohen gewichtsspezifischen Festigkeit und Steifigkeit des Werkstoffes aus faserverstärkten Kunststoffen gefertigt. Dabei kommen neben trockenen Faserhalbzeugen auch sogenannte Prepregs zum Einsatz, bei denen die Fasern bereits mit einem Matrixmaterial vorimprägniert sind. Durch die aus der Faserorientierung resultierenden anisotropen Eigenschaften der Faserverbundwerkstoffe können Bauteil exakter an lokale Belastungen angepasst werden und ermöglichen so eine optimale Materialausnutzung im Sinne des Leichtbaus.Fiber composite materials are now indispensable in the aerospace industry. Critical structural elements in particular are made from fiber-reinforced plastics due to the high weight-specific strength and rigidity of the material. In addition to dry semi-finished fiber products, so-called prepregs are also used, in which the fibers are already pre-impregnated with a matrix material. Due to the anisotropic properties of the fiber composite materials resulting from the fiber orientation, components can be adapted more precisely to local loads and thus enable optimal material utilization in terms of lightweight construction.

Durch die Forderung nach immer höheren Stückzahlen sowie den hohen qualitativen Ansprüchen an die Qualität der Bauteile bei zunehmender Komplexität der Bauteilgeometrie wird der gesamte Herstellungsprozess zunehmend automatisiert. Hierbei werden in der Regel ortsgebundene Anlagen verwendet, bei denen die Fasern mithilfe eines beweglichen Endeffektors auf ein feststehendes Werkzeug abgelegt werden.Due to the demand for ever higher quantities and the high quality demands on the quality of the components with increasing complexity of the component geometry, the entire manufacturing process is becoming increasingly automated. As a rule, stationary systems are used here, in which the fibers are placed on a stationary tool with the help of a movable end effector.

So werden in der industriellen Fertigung von großen Luftfahrtstrukturen wie Flügel, Rumpfschalen und Seitenleitwerke zumeist große ortsgebundene Portalanlagen verwendet, bei denen der Endeffektor zum Ablegen der Fasern an einer verfahrbaren Brücke montiert ist. Durch die verschiedenen Achsen des Endeffektors und der Portalanlage kann Material auf mehrfach gekrümmte Konturen abgelegt werden.In the industrial production of large aircraft structures such as wings, fuselage shells and vertical stabilizers, large stationary portal systems are usually used in which the end effector for depositing the fibers is mounted on a movable bridge. Due to the different axes of the end effector and the portal system, material can be placed on multiply curved contours.

Aus der DE 10 2010 015 027 B4 ist darüber hinaus eine Faserlegeanlage bekannt, bei der um ein feststehendes Formwerkzeug ein Schienensystem angeordnet ist, auf dem mehrere Roboter um das Werkzeug herum verfahrbar vorgesehen sind. Die einzelnen Roboter weisen als Endeffektor einen Ablegekopf auf, mit dem Fasern auf dem in der Mitte des Schienensystems angeordneten Formwerkzeug abgelegt werden können.From the DE 10 2010 015 027 B4 a fiber laying system is also known in which a rail system is arranged around a fixed mold, on which several robots are provided so as to be movable around the tool. The individual robots have a laying head as an end effector, with which fibers can be laid on the forming tool arranged in the middle of the rail system.

Des Weiteren ist aus der DE 10 2015 100 102 A1 eine Fertigungsanlage zur Herstellung eines Faserverbundbauteils bekannt, wobei die Fertigungsanlage ein Werkzeug mit einer formgebenden Werkzeugoberfläche zur Herstellung einer Faserpreform hat. Die Fertigungsanlage weist darüber hinaus eine mobile Robotereinheit auf, die eine Bewegungseinheit hat, die zum Befahren der formgebenden Werkzeugoberfläche ausgebildet ist. Mithilfe der mobilen Robotereinheit kann zumindest ein Teil des Herstellungsprozesses bei der Herstellung der Faserpreform durchgeführt werden, wobei hierfür die mobile Robotereinheit ein Arbeitsmodul hat, welches den entsprechenden Teil des Herstellungsprozesses, wie beispielsweise die Ablage von Fasermaterial auf dem Werkzeug, ermöglicht. Die Energieversorgung der mobilen Robotereinheit erfolgt dabei mithilfe von Akkumulatoren oder drahtlos mithilfe von Laserstrahlen, die auf die sich bewegende mobile Robotereinheit gerichtet werden.Furthermore, from the DE 10 2015 100 102 A1 a production plant for producing a fiber composite component is known, the production plant having a tool with a shaping tool surface for producing a fiber preform. The production plant also has a mobile robot unit that has a movement unit that is designed to drive over the shaping tool surface. The mobile robot unit can be used to carry out at least part of the manufacturing process when manufacturing the fiber preform, with the mobile robot unit having a work module for this purpose, which enables the corresponding part of the manufacturing process, such as the placement of fiber material on the tool. The mobile robot unit is supplied with energy using accumulators or wirelessly using laser beams that are directed at the moving mobile robot unit.

Nachteilig hierbei ist jedoch, dass die Kapazität der Akkumulatoren aufgrund des begrenzten Bauchraumes der mobilen Robotereinheiten stark beschränkt ist, wodurch ein dauerhafter autarker Betrieb der mobilen Robotereinheit nicht gewährleistet werden kann. Die Energieversorgung mithilfe von Laserstrahlen, die auf die mobile Robotereinheit gerichtet werden, hat hingegen den Nachteil, dass die zu legenden Fasern während des Produktionsprozesses oder die bereits abgelegten Fasern durch einen zu hohen Energieeintrag beschädigt werden können. Außerdem sind derartige Anlagen zur Energieversorgung mobiler Robotereinheiten sehr aufwendig und bedürfen besonderer Schutzmaßnahmen für das Personal, wodurch sie in der Anschaffung und im Betrieb sehr kostenintensiv sind.The disadvantage here, however, is that the capacity of the accumulators is severely restricted due to the limited abdominal space of the mobile robot units, as a result of which permanent autonomous operation of the mobile robot unit cannot be guaranteed. On the other hand, the energy supply using laser beams directed at the mobile robot unit has the disadvantage that the fibers to be laid during the production process or the fibers that have already been laid can be damaged by excessive energy input. In addition, systems of this type for supplying energy to mobile robot units are very expensive and require special protective measures for the personnel, which means that they are very expensive to purchase and operate.

Es ist daher Aufgabe der vorliegenden Erfindung eine verbesserte Fertigungsanlage sowie ein verbessertes Verfahren zur Herstellung eines Faserverbundbauteils anzugeben, welches eine autarke Energieversorgung einzelner Robotereinheiten zur Durchführung von einzelnen Herstellungsschritten bei der Herstellung eines Faserverbundbauteils ermöglicht, ohne dabei den Herstellungsprozess an sich zu gefährden.It is therefore the object of the present invention to specify an improved production system and an improved method for producing a fiber composite component, which enables self-sufficient energy supply to individual robot units for carrying out individual production steps in the production of a fiber composite component without endangering the production process itself.

Die Aufgabe wird mit der Fertigungsanlage gemäß Patentanspruch 1 sowie dem Verfahren gemäß Anspruch 8 erfindungsgemäß gelöst. Vorteilhafte Ausführungsformen der Erfindung finden sich in den entsprechenden Unteransprüchen.The object is achieved with the production plant according to claim 1 and the method according to claim 8 according to the invention. Advantageous embodiments of the invention can be found in the corresponding subclaims.

Gemäß Anspruch 1 wird eine Fertigungsanlage zur Herstellung eines Faserverbundbauteils aus einem Faserverbundwerkstoff aufweisend ein Fasermaterial und ein das Fasermaterial einbettendes Matrixmaterial vorgeschlagen, wobei die Fertigungsanlage ein Werkzeug und mindestens eine Robotereinheit hat. Das Werkzeug weist gattungsgemäß eine formgebende Werkzeugoberfläche auf, auf der durch Ablegen von Fasermaterial eine Faserpreform herstellbar ist. Die formgebende Werkzeugoberfläche stellt dabei in der Regel eine Negativform der späteren Bauteilform dar, sodass durch die formgebende Werkzeugoberfläche das Bauteil seine entsprechende Bauteilgeometrie erhält. Auf der formgebenden Werkzeugoberfläche können darüber hinaus weitere Elemente, Bauteile oder Hilfsstoffe zur Herstellung eines Vakuumaufbaus, wie beispielsweise eine Vakuumfolie, ein Trennvlies oder ein Siegelband, aufgebracht werden.According to claim 1, a production plant for producing a fiber composite component from a fiber composite material is proposed, comprising a fiber material and a matrix material embedding the fiber material, the production plant having a tool and at least one robot unit. According to the generic type, the tool has a shaping tool surface on which a fiber preform can be produced by depositing fiber material. The shaping tool surface usually represents a negative form of the subsequent component shape, so that the component receives its corresponding component geometry through the shaping tool surface. In addition, other elements, components or auxiliary materials for producing a vacuum structure, such as a vacuum foil, a separating fleece or a sealing strip, can be applied to the shaping tool surface.

Im einfachsten Fall besteht die herzustellende Faserpreform lediglich aus den abzulegenden Fasermaterialien (trocken oder vorimprägniert), was insbesondere bei der Verwendung von geschlossenen Formwerkzeugen der Fall ist. Bei großen Bauteilgeometrien wird jedoch meist eine sogenannte Open-Mould Technologie verwendet, bei der die Fasermaterialien einerseits auf einem Formwerkzeug abgelegt und andererseits mit einer Vakuumfolie luftdicht verschlossen werden, sodass der Bereich unter der Vakuumfolie, der die Fasern beinhaltet, evakuierbar ist und somit das Matrixmaterial zum späteren Zeitpunkt infundiert werden kann. Die Faserpreform kann somit nicht nur aus dem reinen Fasermaterial bestehen, sondern auch weiterhin Hilfsstoffe wie Trennvlies, Abreißgewebe, Vakuumfolie oder Siegelband aufweisen und somit den vollständigen Vakuumaufbau einschließlich der Fasern beinhalten. Nicht selten werden in die Fasern auch Sensoren und/oder Aktoren eingearbeitet, um beispielsweise Schwingungen detektieren oder Verformungen erzeugen zu können. Die Faserpreform kann somit neben den Fasermaterialien des Faserverbundwerkstoffes auch in das Fasermaterial eingearbeitete Sensoren und/oder Aktoren beinhalten.In the simplest case, the fiber preform to be produced consists only of the fiber materials to be deposited (dry or pre-impregnated), which is the case in particular when closed molds are used. With large component geometries, however, a so-called open-mold technology is usually used, in which the fiber materials are placed on a mold and sealed airtight with a vacuum film, so that the area under the vacuum film that contains the fibers can be evacuated and thus the matrix material can be infused at a later date. The fiber preform can therefore not only consist of the pure fiber material, but also continue to have auxiliary materials such as release fleece, tear-off fabric, vacuum film or sealing tape and thus include the complete vacuum build-up including the fibers. It is not uncommon for sensors and/or actuators to be incorporated into the fibers in order to be able to detect vibrations or generate deformations, for example. In addition to the fiber materials of the fiber composite material, the fiber preform can therefore also contain sensors and/or actuators incorporated into the fiber material.

Die Fertigungsanlage weist des Weiteren mindestens eine Robotereinheit auf, die wenigstens ein Arbeitsmodul hat, welches zur Durchführung mindestens eines Herstellungsschrittes bei der Herstellung der Faserpreform vorgesehen ist. Ein solches Arbeitsmodul, wie später noch gezeigt wird, kann beispielsweise ein Faserlegemodul sein, mit dem Fasermaterialien auf die formgebende Werkzeugoberfläche abgelegt werden können. Ein solches Faserlegemodul kann beispielsweise ein Faserlegekopf sein, der in Form eines Endeffektors Fasermaterial, welches ihm kontinuierlich zugeführt wird, ablegen kann. Die Robotereinheit weist des Weiteren eine Bewegungseinheit auf, mittels derer das Arbeitsmodul, beispielsweise der Endeffektor, über die Werkzeugoberfläche des Formwerkzeugs und/oder darauf abgelegten Fasermaterialien der Faserpreform verfahrbar ist.The production plant also has at least one robot unit which has at least one work module which is provided for carrying out at least one production step in the production of the fiber preform. Such a working module, as will be shown later, can be a fiber laying module, for example, with which fiber materials can be placed on the shaping tool surface. Such a fiber laying module can be a fiber laying head, for example, which can lay down fiber material, which is continuously fed to it, in the form of an end effector. The robot unit also has a movement unit, by means of which the working module, for example the end effector, can be moved over the tool surface of the mold and/or fiber materials of the fiber preform placed thereon.

Die Bewegungseinheit der Robotereinheit kann hierfür beispielsweise so ausgebildet sein, dass sie Räder und/oder Walzen und/oder andere Radelemente aufweist, sodass die Robotereinheit kontaktbehaftet über die formgebende Werkzeugoberfläche bzw. darauf abgelegter Fasermaterialien verfahren werden kann. In diesem Fall ist die Robotereinheit mittels der Bewegungseinheit in der Lage, auf der formgebenden Werkzeugoberfläche zu fahren. Bei der Bewegungseinheit kann es sich aber auch um einen Knickarmroboter handeln, an dessen kinematischen Ende als Endeffektor das Arbeitsmodul angeordnet ist. In diesem Fall ist die Bewegungseinheit dazu ausgebildet, das Arbeitsmodul über die formgebende Werkzeugoberfläche und/oder über die abgelegten Fasermaterialien kontaktlos zu verfahren bzw. zu bewegen.For this purpose, the movement unit of the robot unit can be designed such that it has wheels and/or rollers and/or other wheel elements, so that the robot unit can be moved in contact over the shaping tool surface or fiber materials deposited thereon. In this case, the robot unit is able to move on the shaping tool surface by means of the movement unit. However, the movement unit can also be an articulated-arm robot, at the kinematic end of which the working module is arranged as an end effector. In this case, the movement unit is designed to move or move the working module without contact over the shaping tool surface and/or over the deposited fiber materials.

Erfindungsgemäß ist nun vorgesehen, dass die Fertigungsanlage eine Energieversorgungseinrichtung zur elektrischen Energieversorgung der mindestens einen Robotereinheit hat, wobei die Energieversorgungseinrichtung zur drahtlosen Energieübertragung elektrische Energie mittels elektromagnetischer Felder ausgebildet ist. Hierfür sind ein oder mehrere Sender zum Erzeugen von elektromagnetischen Feldern zum Zwecke der drahtlosen Energieübertragung in dem Werkzeug bzw. der formgebenden Werkzeugoberfläche vorgesehen, wobei mindestens ein Empfänger zum Empfangen von elektromagnetischen Feldern zum Zwecke der drahtlosen Energieübertragung in der Robotereinheit angeordnet ist. Die Robotereinheit ist nun zum Umwandeln der durch den wenigstens einen Empfänger empfangenen elektromagnetischen Felder in elektrische Energie ausgebildet, um die Robotereinheit mithilfe der elektromagnetischen Felder mit elektrischer Energie zu versorgen.According to the invention, it is now provided that the production plant has an energy supply device for supplying electrical energy to the at least one robot unit, the energy supply device being designed for wireless energy transmission of electrical energy by means of electromagnetic fields. For this purpose, one or more transmitters for generating electromagnetic fields for the purpose of wireless energy transmission are provided in the tool or the shaping tool surface, with at least one receiver for receiving electromagnetic fields for the purpose of wireless energy transmission being arranged in the robot unit. The robot unit is now designed to convert the electromagnetic fields received by the at least one receiver into electrical energy in order to supply the robot unit with electrical energy using the electromagnetic fields.

Mithilfe der vorliegenden Erfindung wird es nunmehr möglich, Robotereinheiten, die mithilfe eines Arbeitsmoduls zur Durchführung mindestens eines Herstellungsschrittes bei der Herstellung einer Faserpreform vorgesehen sind, mit elektrischer Energie zu versorgen, ohne dass hierbei die Gefahr besteht, bereits abgelegtes Fasermaterial oder in der Nähe befindliche Personen zu schädigen. Des Weiteren wird der Vorteil erreicht, dass die Robotereinheiten nicht zwangsläufig mit einem Stromkabel verbunden werden müssen, um die Robotereinheiten kontinuierlich mit elektrischer Energie zu versorgen, und dass die Robotereinheiten, wenn ein Batteriebetrieb möglich ist, nicht an definierte Servicestationen zum Aufladen der Batterien gebunden sind. Vielmehr ist es mithilfe der erfindungsgemäßen Fertigungsanlage zur Herstellung eines Faserverbundbauteils nunmehr möglich, Robotereinheiten zur Durchführung von Arbeitsprozessen bei der Herstellung von Faserpreform nahezu autark und nahezu unbegrenzt einzusetzen, zumindest im Hinblick auf die Energieversorgung. Lange Ladezeiten zum Aufladen der Batterien der Robotereinheiten entfallen, wodurch der Herstellungsprozess nicht nur sicherer durchführbar ist, sondern auch kosteneffektiver.With the help of the present invention, it is now possible to supply electrical energy to robot units that are provided with the aid of a work module for carrying out at least one production step in the production of a fiber preform, without the risk of fiber material that has already been laid down or people in the vicinity to harm. Furthermore, the advantage is achieved that the robot units do not necessarily have to be connected to a power cable in order to continuously supply the robot units with electrical energy, and that the robot units, if battery operation is possible, are not tied to defined service stations for charging the batteries . Rather, with the aid of the production plant according to the invention for producing a fiber composite component, it is now possible to use robot units almost independently and almost unlimitedly to carry out work processes in the production of fiber preforms, at least with regard to the energy supply. Long charging times to charge the batteries of the robotic units are eliminated, making the manufacturing process not only safer to carry out, but also more cost-effective.

Aufgrund der Tatsache, dass für die mobilen Robotereinheiten eine kabelgebundene Stromversorgung entfällt, können sich die mobilen Robotereinheiten freier bewegen und haben in Bezug auf das Formwerkzeug einen nahezu unbegrenzten Aktionsradius.Due to the fact that there is no wired power supply for the mobile robot units, the mobile robot units can move more freely and have an almost unlimited radius of action in relation to the mold.

Die Erfinder haben hierbei erkannt, dass im Bereich der Herstellung von Faserverbundbauteile eine elektrische Energieversorgung mittels elektromagnetischer Felder derart möglich ist, dass die an dem Herstellungsprozess beteiligten Robotereinheiten mithilfe der elektromagnetischen Felder prozesssicher mit elektrischer Energie versorgt werden können. Es hat sich gezeigt, dass mithilfe einer drahtlosen Energieübertragung mittels elektromagnetischer Felder die Robotereinheiten auch beim Legen von Fasermaterialien sowie bei der Qualitätsüberwachung abgelegter Fasermaterialien prozesssicher mit elektrischer Energie versorgt werden können.The inventors have recognized that in the field of manufacturing fiber composite components, an electrical energy supply by means of electromagnetic fields is possible in such a way that the robot units involved in the manufacturing process can be reliably supplied with electrical energy using the electromagnetic fields. It has been shown that with the help of wireless energy transmission using electromagnetic fields, the robot units can also be reliably supplied with electrical energy when laying fiber materials and when monitoring the quality of laid fiber materials.

Mittels der vorliegenden Erfindung wird somit insbesondere bei großen Anlageflächen der Nachteil der aus dem Stand der Technik bekannten Fertigungsanlagen kompensiert, da nunmehr der für die Durchführung des jeweiligen Herstellungsschrittes notwendige Endeffektor nahezu unbegrenzt und nahezu autark mit elektrischer Energie versorgt werden kann.The present invention thus compensates for the disadvantage of the production systems known from the prior art, especially with large contact surfaces, since the end effector required for carrying out the respective production step can now be supplied with electrical energy almost indefinitely and almost independently.

Gemäß einer Ausführungsform weist mindestens eine der Robotereinheiten einen Energiespeicher auf, der zur elektrischen Energieversorgung der Robotereinheit vorgesehen ist, wobei die Robotereinheit weiterhin eingerichtet ist, die drahtlos übertragene und von dem Empfänger der jeweiligen Robotereinheit empfangene elektrische Energie in den Energiespeicher einzuspeisen. Die Robotereinheit ist dann weiterhin ausgebildet, die in dem elektrischen Energiespeicher gespeicherte elektrische Energie zur Stromversorgung zumindest eines Teils der Robotereinheit zu verwenden. Dies kann beispielsweise das Betreiben des Arbeitsmoduls zur Durchführung des jeweiligen Herstellungsschrittes sein. Denkbar ist aber auch, dass die Bewegungseinheit der Robotereinheit zum Bewegen der Robotereinheit mit elektrischer Energie aus dem Energiespeicher versorgt wird.According to one embodiment, at least one of the robot units has an energy storage device that is provided for supplying electrical energy to the robot unit, the robot unit also being set up to feed the electrical energy transmitted wirelessly and received by the receiver of the respective robot unit into the energy storage device. The robot unit is then further designed to use the electrical energy stored in the electrical energy store to supply power to at least part of the robot unit. This can be, for example, the operation of the work module to carry out the respective production step. However, it is also conceivable for the movement unit of the robot unit to be supplied with electrical energy from the energy store in order to move the robot unit.

So kann es vorgesehen sein, dass die Robotereinheit an bestimmten Punkten des Werkzeugs mittels der elektromagnetischen Felder mit elektrischer Energie versorgt wird, die dann in den Energiespeicher eingespeist wird. Anschließend bewegt sich das Arbeitsmodul bzw. der Endeffektor mithilfe der Bewegungseinheit über dem Formwerkzeug, um mittels des Arbeitsmoduls den entsprechenden Prozessschritt durchzuführen. Anschließend erreicht die Robotereinheit wieder eine Position eines Senders in dem Formwerkzeug und wird dann mittels der elektromagnetischen Felder wieder mit elektrischer Energie versorgt. Hierdurch werden die Robotereinheiten und insbesondere die Energiespeicher der Robotereinheiten kontinuierlich in diskreten Abständen mit elektrischer Energie versorgt, ohne das hierfür die Robotereinheit mit einem Stromversorgungskabel verbunden sein muss.Provision can thus be made for the robot unit to be supplied with electrical energy at specific points of the tool by means of the electromagnetic fields, which is then fed into the energy store. Then the work module or the end effector moves with the aid of the movement unit over the mold in order to carry out the corresponding process step by means of the work module. The robot unit then again reaches a position of a transmitter in the mold and is then supplied with electrical energy again by means of the electromagnetic fields. This will make the robotic units and in particular the energy stores of the robot units are continuously supplied with electrical energy at discrete intervals without the robot unit having to be connected to a power supply cable for this purpose.

Gemäß einer Ausführungsform hierzu weist der Energiespeicher der Robotereinheit ein oder mehrere Kondensatoren, insbesondere Superkondensatoren, auf. Gerade die Superkondensatoren haben den Vorteil, dass sie sehr schnell aufgeladen werden können. Der Nachteil der geringeren Energiedichte in Bezug zu herkömmlichen Ackumulatoren und der damit einhergehenden geringeren Ladekapazität kann durch eine Erhöhung der Sender in dem Formwerkzeug kompensiert werden, sodass die Robotereinheiten statistisch betrachtet sehr häufig die Gelegenheit haben, den aus Kondensatoren bestehenden Energiespeicher mit elektrischer Energie aufzuladen.According to an embodiment of this, the energy store of the robot unit has one or more capacitors, in particular supercapacitors. The supercapacitors in particular have the advantage that they can be charged very quickly. The disadvantage of the lower energy density in relation to conventional accumulators and the associated lower charging capacity can be compensated for by increasing the number of transmitters in the mold, so that, statistically speaking, the robot units very often have the opportunity to charge the energy storage device, which consists of capacitors, with electrical energy.

Gemäß einer Ausführungsform ist vorgesehen, dass in einem Randbereich der formgebenden Werkzeugoberfläche des Werkzeugs eine Mehrzahl von Sender zur drahtlosen Energieübertragung angeordnet sind. Dabei kann vorgesehen sein, dass außerhalb dieser Randbereiche, d. h. insbesondere in jenen Bereichen, in denen die Faserpreform hergestellt wird, keine Sender zur drahtlosen Energieübertragung der Energieversorgungseinrichtung vorgesehen sind. Dadurch werden die Robotereinheiten nur dann mit elektrischer Energie durch die Sender zur drahtlosen Energieübertragung mittels elektromagnetischer Felder versorgt, wenn die Robotereinheit oder ein Teil der Robotereinheit, die den Empfänger für die elektromagnetischen Felder enthält, in den Randbereich der formgebenden Werkzeugoberfläche verfahren bzw. bewegt wird.According to one embodiment, it is provided that a plurality of transmitters for wireless energy transmission are arranged in an edge area of the shaping tool surface of the tool. It can be provided that outside of these edge areas, i. H. in particular in those areas in which the fiber preform is produced, no transmitters for wireless energy transmission of the energy supply device are provided. As a result, the robot units are only supplied with electrical energy by the transmitters for wireless energy transmission using electromagnetic fields when the robot unit or a part of the robot unit that contains the receiver for the electromagnetic fields is moved or moved into the edge area of the shaping tool surface.

Handelt es sich bei der Robotereinheit um ein auf dem Formwerkzeug fahrbares Objekt (bspw. mittels Räder), so wird die Robotereinheit immer dann mit elektrischer Energie versorgt, wenn sie in den Randbereich des Formwerkzeugs verfahren wird. Der oder die Empfänger für die elektromagnetischen Felder zwecks drahtloser Energieübertragung befinden sich dabei in der Robotereinheit, beispielsweise in dem Arbeitsmodul oder in der Bewegungseinheit. Handelt es sich hingegen um einen Knickarmroboter, an dessen kinematischen Ende das Arbeitsmodul als Endeffektor angeordnet ist, so ist es vorteilhaft, wenn der oder die Empfänger für die elektromagnetischen Felder zwecks drahtloser Energieübertragung sich in dem Arbeitsmodul, an dem Endeffektor oder in der Nähe des Endeffektors befinden. Wird der Endeffektor mithilfe des Knickarmroboters nunmehr in den Randbereich des Formwerkzeugs mit den Sendern bewegt, so kann hierüber eine entsprechende Energieversorgung stattfinden.If the robot unit is an object that can be moved on the mold (e.g. by means of wheels), then the robot unit is always supplied with electrical energy when it is moved to the edge area of the mold. The receiver or receivers for the electromagnetic fields for the purpose of wireless energy transmission are located in the robot unit, for example in the work module or in the movement unit. If, on the other hand, it is an articulated-arm robot at the kinematic end of which the work module is arranged as an end effector, it is advantageous if the receiver or receivers for the electromagnetic fields for the purpose of wireless energy transmission are located in the work module the end effector or near the end effector. If the end effector is now moved to the edge area of the mold with the transmitters with the help of the articulated-arm robot, a corresponding energy supply can take place here.

Gemäß einer Ausführungsform ist vorgesehen, dass das Arbeitsmodul der Robotereinheit ein Faserlegemodul, ein Hilfsstoffmodul, ein Applikationsmodul und/oder ein Qualitätsmodul ist.According to one embodiment, it is provided that the working module of the robot unit is a fiber laying module, an auxiliary substance module, an application module and/or a quality module.

Das Faserlegemodul ist zum Ablegen von Fasermaterial auf der formgebenden Werkzeugoberfläche zur Herstellung der Faserpreform ausgebildet. Ein derartiges Faserlegemodul weist dabei zumindest eine Anpressrolle oder eine Anpresseinheit auf, mit der das abzulegende Fasermaterial auf die formgebende Werkzeugoberfläche angedrückt werden kann, wenn die Robotereinheit bzw. das Arbeitsmodul über die formgebende Werkzeugoberfläche verfahren wird. So kann beispielsweise während des Befahrens der formgebenden Werkzeugoberfläche das Fasermaterial mittels des Faserlegemoduls abgelegt werden.The fiber laying module is designed to lay down fiber material on the shaping tool surface for producing the fiber preform. Such a fiber laying module has at least one pressure roller or a pressure unit with which the fiber material to be laid can be pressed onto the shaping tool surface when the robot unit or the working module is moved over the shaping tool surface. For example, the fiber material can be laid down by means of the fiber laying module while driving over the shaping tool surface.

Das Hilfsstoffmodul ist zum Aufbringen von Hilfsstoffen auf das abgelegte Fasermaterial zur Herstellung eines Vakuumaufbaus der Faserpreform ausgebildet. Derartige Hilfsstoffe können beispielsweise Vakuumfolien, Trennvlies, Abreißgewebe, Fließhilfen und/oder Siegelbänder sein. Denkbar ist aber auch, dass die Hilfsstoffe in Form von Hilfsstoffpaketen, die aus mehreren Lagen verschiedener Hilfsstoffe aufgebaut sind, mithilfe des Hilfsstoffmoduls aufgebracht bzw. eingebracht werden.The auxiliary material module is designed to apply auxiliary materials to the laid fiber material in order to produce a vacuum build-up of the fiber preform. Such auxiliaries can be, for example, vacuum films, separating nonwovens, tear-off plies, flow aids and/or sealing tapes. However, it is also conceivable for the auxiliary substances to be applied or introduced in the form of auxiliary substance packets, which are made up of several layers of different auxiliary substances, with the aid of the auxiliary substance module.

Das Applikationsmodul ist zum Applizieren von Sensoren und/oder Aktoren in das abgelegte Fasermaterial der Faserpreform ausgebildet. Das Applizieren von Sensoren und/oder Aktoren erfolgt dabei während des Verfahrens des Arbeitsmoduls über die formgebende Werkzeugoberfläche.The application module is designed to apply sensors and/or actuators to the laid fiber material of the fiber preform. The sensors and/or actuators are applied during the movement of the work module over the shaping tool surface.

Das Qualitätsmodul als Arbeitsmodul ist zum Überprüfen der Qualität der Faserpreform, insbesondere der Ablagequalität der abgelegten Fasermaterialien, ausgebildet. Ein derartiges Qualitätsmodul kann beispielsweise einen Infrarotsensor, einen Laserlichtschnittsensor und/oder einen Wirbelstromsensoren aufweisen, mit deren Hilfe dann insbesondere die abgelegten Fasermaterialien hinsichtlich der Faserorientierung, Faserausrichtung sowie anderer Qualitätsmerkmale überprüft und untersucht werden können. Auch hierbei erfolgt die Überprüfung der Qualität der abgelegten Fasern bzw. der gesamten Faserpreform während des Verfahrens des Arbeitsmoduls über die formgebende Werkzeugoberfläche.The quality module as a working module is designed to check the quality of the fiber preform, in particular the laying quality of the laid fiber materials. Such a quality module can have, for example, an infrared sensor, a laser light section sensor and/or an eddy current sensor, with the help of which then in particular the deposited fiber materials can be checked and examined with regard to fiber orientation, fiber alignment and other quality features. Here, too, the quality of the deposited fibers or the entire fiber preform is checked during the movement of the working module via the shaping tool surface.

Das Qualitätsmodul kann darüber hinaus auch so eingerichtet sein, dass die Qualität von Hilfsstoffen und/oder applizierter Elemente wie Sensoren und/oder Aktoren, die in die Faserpreform eingebracht wurden, überprüft werden. Somit lässt sich vollständig automatisiert nicht nur die Qualität der abgelegten Fasermaterialien überprüfen, sondern der gesamte Vakuumaufbau einschließlich der Hilfsstoffe.In addition, the quality module can also be set up in such a way that the quality of auxiliary materials and/or applied elements such as sensors and/or actuators that have been introduced into the fiber preform are checked. This means that not only the quality of the deposited fiber materials can be checked fully automatically, but also the entire vacuum build-up including the auxiliary materials.

Gemäß einer Ausführungsform ist vorgesehen, dass mindestens eine der Robotereinheiten eine mobile Robotereinheit ist, deren Bewegungseinheit zum befahren der formgebenden Werkzeugoberfläche ausgebildet ist, um die mobile Robotereinheit auf der formgebenden Werkzeugoberfläche zu bewegen. Hierbei kann es sich um eine mobile Robotereinheit handeln, wie sie aus der DE 10 2015 100 102 A1 bekannt ist, deren Inhalt vollständig hier Bezug genommen wird.According to one embodiment, it is provided that at least one of the robot units is a mobile robot unit whose movement unit is designed to travel over the shaping tool surface in order to move the mobile robot unit on the shaping tool surface. This can be a mobile robotic unit, as from the DE 10 2015 100 102 A1 known, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Gemäß einer Ausführungsform kann aber auch vorgesehen sein, dass mindestens eine der Robotereinheiten als Bewegungseinheit einen Knickarmroboter aufweist, an dem als Endeffektor das mindestens eine Arbeitsmodul angeordnet ist.According to one embodiment, however, it can also be provided that at least one of the robot units has an articulated-arm robot as the movement unit, on which the at least one working module is arranged as an end effector.

Gemäß einer Ausführungsform ist vorgesehen, dass die Energieversorgungseinrichtung zur induktiven drahtlosen Energieübertragung ausgebildet ist, wobei als Sender jeweils Induktionsspulen in dem Werkzeug vorgesehen sind. Als Empfänger in den Robotereinheiten können ebenfalls entsprechende Induktionsspulen vorgesehen sein, um die von den Sendern ausgesendeten elektromagnetischen Felder zum Zwecke der drahtlosen Energieübertragung entsprechend empfangen zu können. Hierbei kann das Prinzip der induktiven Kopplung oder der kapazitativen Kopplung zum Zwecke der drahtlosen Energieübertragung verwendet werden.According to one embodiment, it is provided that the energy supply device is designed for inductive, wireless energy transmission, with induction coils being provided in the tool as transmitters. Corresponding induction coils can also be provided as receivers in the robot units in order to be able to receive the electromagnetic fields emitted by the transmitters for the purpose of wireless energy transmission. Here, the principle of inductive coupling or capacitive coupling can be used for the purpose of wireless energy transmission.

Die Erfindung wird anhand der beigefügten Figuren beispielhaft näher erläutert. Es zeigen:

Figur 1:
Schematische Darstellung der erfindungsgemäßen Fertigungsanlage mit einer auf der formgebenden Werkzeugoberfläche fahrenden Robotereinheit;
Figur 2:
Schematische Darstellung einer Robotereinheit zum befahren eines Formwerkzeugs.
The invention is explained in more detail by way of example on the basis of the attached figures. Show it:
Figure 1:
Schematic representation of the production plant according to the invention with a robot unit moving on the shaping tool surface;
Figure 2:
Schematic representation of a robot unit for driving over a mold.

Figur 1 zeigt in einer stark vereinfachten, schematischen Darstellung die erfindungsgemäße Fertigungsanlage 10, die ein Werkzeug bzw. Formwerkzeug 11 hat. Das Formwerkzeug 11 weist eine formgebende Werkzeugoberfläche 12 auf, auf der Fasermaterial 13 zur Herstellung einer Faserpreform 14 abgelegt werden kann. Das Ablegen der Fasermaterialien 13 erfolgt dabei mithilfe einer mobilen Robotereinheit 20, die ein in Figur 1 nicht dargestellte des Arbeitsmodul hat. Das Arbeitsmodul der Robotereinheit 20 ist dabei zum Ablegen der quasiendlosen Fasermaterialien 13 ausgebildet, die mithilfe der Robotereinheit 20 bandförmig und in Figur 1 diagonal zudem im Wesentlichen rechteckig vorliegenden Formwerkzeug 11 abgelegt werden. Wurde eine Faserlage aus Fasermaterial 13 durch die mobile Robotereinheit 20 vollständig abgelegt, so kann die mobile Robotereinheit 20 eine nächste Faser-Lagervorrichtung Fasermaterial 13 auf das bereits abgelegte Fasermaterial ablegen, wobei dann in der Regel eine zu der darunterliegenden Faserlage verschiedene Faserorientierung abgelegt wird, um so dem späteren Bauteil eine hohe Festigkeit und Steifigkeit zu verleihen. figure 1 shows the production plant 10 according to the invention, which has a tool or mold 11, in a highly simplified, schematic representation. The molding tool 11 has a shaping tool surface 12 on which the fiber material 13 for producing a fiber preform 14 can be deposited. The fiber materials 13 are laid down with the help of a mobile robot unit 20, which has an in figure 1 has not shown the work module. The working module of the robot unit 20 is designed to deposit the quasi-endless fiber materials 13, which, with the help of the robot unit 20, are in band form and in figure 1 diagonally to the mold 11 that is present in a substantially rectangular shape. If a fiber layer made of fiber material 13 has been completely laid down by the mobile robot unit 20, the mobile robot unit 20 can lay down a next fiber storage device of fiber material 13 on the fiber material that has already been laid down, in which case a fiber orientation that differs from the fiber layer underneath is usually laid down in order to to give the later component a high level of strength and rigidity.

Wie in Figur 1 gezeigte ist, arbeitet die mobile Robotereinheit 20 autark und ist insbesondere dazu ausgebildet, die formgebende Werkzeugoberfläche 12 bzw. bereits darauf abgelegtes Fasermaterial 13 zu befahren. Während sich die mobile Robotereinheit 20 über die formgebende Werkzeugoberfläche 12 fahrend bewegt, wird kontinuierlich das Fasermaterial 13 auf das Werkzeug 11 abgelegt. Die mobile Robotereinheit 20 ist dabei weder mit einem Stromkabel zur kabelgebundenen Stromversorgung verbunden, noch wird die Robotereinheit 20 mithilfe von Laserstrahlen mit elektrischer Energie versorgt.As in figure 1 is shown, the mobile robot unit 20 works autonomously and is designed in particular to drive over the shaping tool surface 12 or fiber material 13 already placed thereon. While the mobile robot unit 20 moves over the shaping tool surface 12 , the fiber material 13 is continuously deposited on the tool 11 . The mobile robot unit 20 is neither connected to a power cable for the wired power supply, nor is the robot unit 20 supplied with electrical energy using laser beams.

Erfindungsgemäß erfolgt die elektrische Energieversorgung der mobilen Robotereinheit 20 induktiv, wobei hierfür in einem Randbereich 15 des Formwerkzeugs 11 eine Mehrzahl von Sender 16 in Form von Induktionsspulen vorgesehen sind, die zum Zwecke einer drahtlosen Energieübertragung zum Erzeugen von elektromagnetischen Feldern ausgebildet sind. Die Sender 16 im Randbereich 15 des Formwerkzeugs 11 sind dabei Teil einer elektrischen Energieversorgungseinrichtung zur elektrischen Energieversorgung der Robotereinheit 20.According to the invention, the mobile robot unit 20 is supplied with electrical energy inductively, with a plurality of transmitters 16 in the form of induction coils being provided for this purpose in an edge region 15 of the mold 11, which are designed for the purpose of wireless energy transmission for generating electromagnetic fields. The transmitters 16 in the edge area 15 of the mold 11 are part of an electrical energy supply device for supplying electrical energy to the robot unit 20.

Die mobile Robotereinheit 20 weist hierfür nun, wie später noch detailliert beschrieben wird, mindestens einen Empfänger zum Empfang der elektromagnetischen Felder zur drahtlosen Energieübertragung auf, um so die mobile Robotereinheit 20 mit elektrischer Energie versorgen zu können. Hat die mobile Robotereinheit 20 auf der formgebenden Werkzeugoberfläche 12 eine Bahn aus Fasermaterial 13 vollständig abgelegt, so befindet sich die mobile Robotereinheit 20 im Randbereich 15 des Formwerkzeugs 11. In diesem Bereich muss die mobile Robotereinheit 20 nun wenden bzw. eine neue Ausrichtung oder Position einnehmen, um angrenzend zu der eben gerade abgelegten Faserbahn eine neue Faserbahn aus Fasermaterial 13 abzulegen.For this purpose, the mobile robot unit 20 now has at least one receiver for receiving the electromagnetic fields for wireless energy transmission, as will be described in detail later, in order to be able to supply the mobile robot unit 20 with electrical energy. If the mobile robot unit 20 has completely deposited a web of fiber material 13 on the shaping tool surface 12, the mobile robot unit 20 is located in the edge area 15 of the molding tool 11. In this area, the mobile robot unit 20 must now turn or assume a new orientation or position , in order to lay down a new fibrous web of fibrous material 13 adjacent to the fibrous web that has just been laid down.

In dieser Zeit, während sich die mobile Robotereinheit 20 im Randbereich 15 des Formwerkzeugs 11 befindet, kann sie die von den Sendern 16 ausgesendeten elektromagnetischen Felder empfangen und in elektrische Energie umwandeln. Da die mobile Robotereinheit 20 im Ausführungsbeispiel der Figur 1 im eigentlichen Ablegebereich des Formwerkzeugs 11 nicht mit elektrischer Energie versorgt werden kann, da sich hier keine Induktionsspulen befinden, wird die im Randbereich 15 übertragene elektrische Energie in einem elektrischen Energiespeicher der mobilen Robotereinheit 20 zwischen gespeichert. Es hat sich gezeigt, dass mithilfe der Induktionsspulen im Randbereich 15 genügend elektrische Energie auf die mobile Robotereinheit 20 übertragen werden kann, sodass die mobile Robotereinheit 20 ohne weitere Energieaufnahme bis an den gegenüberliegenden Randbereich fahren und dabei Fasermaterial 13 ablegen kann, wo sie dann wieder mit elektrischer Energie aus den Induktionsspulen versorgt wird. Hierdurch wird es möglich, dass die mobile Robotereinheit 20 nahezu unbegrenzt im Hinblick auf die Energieversorgung auf dem Formwerkzeug agieren kann.During this time, while the mobile robot unit 20 is in the edge area 15 of the mold 11, it can receive the electromagnetic fields emitted by the transmitters 16 and convert them into electrical energy. Since the mobile robot unit 20 in the embodiment of figure 1 cannot be supplied with electrical energy in the actual depositing area of the mold 11 since there are no induction coils here, the electrical energy transmitted in the edge area 15 is temporarily stored in an electrical energy store of the mobile robot unit 20 . It has been shown that with the help of the induction coils in the edge area 15, sufficient electrical energy can be transferred to the mobile robot unit 20 so that the mobile robot unit 20 can travel to the opposite edge area without consuming any further energy and thereby deposit fiber material 13, where it can then be picked up again electrical energy is supplied from the induction coils. This makes it possible for the mobile robot unit 20 to be able to operate on the mold in an almost unlimited manner with regard to the energy supply.

Figur 2 zeigt in schematischer Darstellung eine mobile Robotereinheit 20 im Detail. Die mobile Robotereinheit 20 weist eine Bewegungseinheit 21 auf, die mittels Räder und einem Antrieb dazu eingerichtet ist, die mobile Robotereinheit 20 auf der formgebenden Werkzeugoberfläche 12 des Formwerkzeugs 11 kontaktbehaftet zu bewegen. Die mobile Robotereinheit 20 weist des Weiteren ein Arbeitsmodul 22 auf, welches im Ausführungsbeispiel der Figur 2 ein Faserlegemodul zum Ablegen von Fasermaterial ist. Mithilfe des Faserlegemoduls kann die mobile Robotereinheit 20 während des Fahrens auf der formgebenden Werkzeugoberfläche 12 das Fasermaterial 13 auf die formgebende Werkzeugoberfläche 12 ablegen. figure 2 shows a schematic representation of a mobile robot unit 20 in detail. The mobile robot unit 20 has a movement unit 21 which is set up by means of wheels and a drive to move the mobile robot unit 20 on the forming tool surface 12 of the forming tool 11 with contact. The mobile robot unit 20 also has a work module 22, which in the embodiment of figure 2 is a fiber laying module for laying down fiber material. With the help of the fiber laying module, the mobile robot unit 20 can deposit the fiber material 13 on the shaping tool surface 12 while driving on the shaping tool surface 12 .

Die mobile Robotereinheit 20 weist des Weiteren erfindungsgemäß einen Empfänger 24 zum Empfang von elektromagnetischen Feldern zur drahtlosen Energieübertragung auf, wobei der Empfänger 24 der mobilen Robotereinheit 20 mit einem Energiespeicher 23 in Verbindung steht. Der Energiespeicher 23 kann dabei aus Kondensatoren bzw. Superkondensatoren aufgebaut sein, deren Kapazität sehr schnell aufgeladen werden kann.According to the invention, the mobile robot unit 20 also has a receiver 24 for receiving electromagnetic fields for wireless energy transmission, the receiver 24 of the mobile robot unit 20 being connected to an energy store 23 . The energy store 23 can be made up of capacitors or supercapacitors, the capacity of which can be charged very quickly.

Bewegt sich die mobile Robotereinheit 20 in den Randbereich 15 des Formwerkzeugs 11, so werden die elektromagnetischen Felder, die von den Induktionsspulen 16 im Randbereich 15 des Formwerkzeugs 11 erzeugt werden, von dem Empfänger 24 der mobilen Robotereinheit 20 empfangen und in elektrische Energie umgewandelt. Diese aus der Umwandlung entstehender elektrische Energie wird dann in den Energiespeicher 23 eingespeist, um den Energiespeicher 23 aufzuladen.If the mobile robot unit 20 moves into the edge area 15 of the mold 11, the electromagnetic fields generated by the induction coils 16 in the edge area 15 of the mold 11 are received by the receiver 24 of the mobile robot unit 20 and converted into electrical energy. This electrical energy resulting from the conversion is then fed into the energy store 23 in order to charge the energy store 23 .

Die mobile Robotereinheit 20 ist nun so ausgebildet, dass zumindest ein Teil ihrer Funktionalität, vorzugsweise alle Funktionen mit der in dem elektrischen Energiespeicher 23 gespeicherten elektrische Energie versorgt werden, sodass die mobile Robotereinheit hinsichtlich der elektrischen Energieversorgung kabelloses sich auf dem Formwerkzeug 11 bewegen kann.The mobile robot unit 20 is designed in such a way that at least part of its functionality, preferably all functions, are supplied with the electrical energy stored in the electrical energy store 23, so that the mobile robot unit can move on the mold 11 wirelessly with regard to the electrical energy supply.

BezugszeichenlisteReference List

1010
Fertigungsanlagemanufacturing plant
1111
Formwerkzeugmolding tool
1212
formgebende Oberflächeshaping surface
1313
Fasermaterialfiber material
1414
Faserpreformfiber preform
1515
Randbereich des FormwerkzeugesEdge area of the mold
1616
Sender/InduktionsspulenTransmitter/induction coils
2020
mobile Robotereinheitmobile robot unit
2121
Bewegungseinheitmovement unit
2222
Arbeitsmodulworking module
2323
Energiespeicherenergy storage
2424
Empfänger/InduktionsspulenReceiver/induction coils

Claims (11)

  1. Manufacturing system (10) for producing a fibre composite component from a fibre composite material having a fibre material (13) and a matrix material embedding the fibre material (13), the manufacturing system (10) comprising:
    - a tool (11) with a formative tool surface (12), on which a fibre preform (14) is producible by depositing fibre material (13), and
    - at least one robot unit (20) with at least one work module (22) embodied to carry out at least one production step during the production of the fibre preform (14) and a movement unit (21), by means of which the work module (22) is displaceable over the tool surface (12) and/or the fibre preform (14),
    wherein the manufacturing system (10) has a power supply device for the electrical power supply of the at least one robot unit (20), the said power supply device being designed for wireless energy transmission of electrical energy by means of electromagnetic fields, with one or more transmitters (16) being provided in the tool (11) for the purpose of generating electromagnetic fields for the wireless energy transmission and at least one receiver (24) being provided in the robot unit (20) for the purpose of receiving electromagnetic fields for the wireless energy transmission, the robot unit (20) being designed to convert the electromagnetic fields received by the at least one receiver (24) into electrical energy for the electrical power supply of the robot unit (20).
  2. Manufacturing system (10) according to Claim 1, wherein the robot unit (20) has an energy storage unit (23) which is provided for the electrical power supply of the robot unit (20), the robot unit (20) furthermore being configured to feed the electrical energy that was transmitted wirelessly and received by the receiver (24) of the respective robot unit (20) to the energy storage unit (23).
  3. Manufacturing system (10) according to Claim 2, wherein the energy storage unit (23) of the robot unit (20) has one or more capacitors, in particular supercapacitors.
  4. Manufacturing system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a plurality of transmitters (16) for wireless energy transmission are arranged in an edge region (15) of the formative tool surface (12) of the tool (11).
  5. Manufacturing system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the work module (22) of the robot unit (20)
    - is a fibre laying module for placing fibre material (13) on the formative tool surface (12) for producing a fibre preform (14),
    - is an auxiliary substance module for applying auxiliary substances to placed fibre material (13) for producing a vacuum structure,
    - is an application module for applying the sensors and/or actuators to placed fibre material (13), and/or
    - is a quality module for testing the quality of the fibre preform (14).
  6. Manufacturing system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the robot units is a mobile robot unit (20), the movement unit (21) of which is designed to traverse the formative tool surface (12) in order to move the mobile robot unit (20) on the formative tool surface (12) and/or wherein at least one of the robot units (20) has an articulated arm robot as movement unit (21), the at least one work module (22) being arranged on the said articulated arm robot as an end effector.
  7. Manufacturing system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the power supply device is designed for inductive wireless energy transmission, respective induction coils (16) being provided as transmitters (16) in the tool (11).
  8. Method for producing a fibre composite component from a fibre composite material having a fibre material (13) and a matrix material embedding the fibre material (13), with a fibre preform (14) made of the fibre material (13) being produced on a formative tool surface (12) of a tool (11) by means of a manufacturing system (10), with at least one production step during the production of the fibre preform (14) being implemented by means of at least one work module (22) of at least one robot unit (20) and the work module (22) being displaced over the tool surface (12) and/or the fibre preform (14) by means of a movement unit (21), wherein the at least one robot unit (20) is wirelessly supplied with electrical energy by electromagnetic fields by means of a power supply device of the manufacturing system (10) by virtue of electromagnetic fields being generated by means of a transmitter (16) for wireless energy transmission provided for in the tool (11) and the said electromagnetic fields being received by means of a receiver (24) provided for in the robot unit (20) and converted into electrical energy for the power supply of the robot unit (20).
  9. Method according to Claim 8, wherein the received electrical energy is fed to an energy storage unit (23) of the robot unit (20) and the robot unit (20) furthermore is supplied with electrical energy from the energy storage unit (23).
  10. Method according to Claim 8 or 9, wherein
    - fibre material (13) is placed onto the formative tool surface (12) by means of a fibre laying module as a work module (22), for the purposes of producing the fibre preform (14),
    - auxiliary substances are applied to placed fibre material (13) by means of an auxiliary substance module as a work module (22), for the purposes of producing a vacuum structure,
    - sensors and/or actuators are applied to placed fibre material (13) by means of an application module as a work module (22), and/or
    - the quality of the fibre preform (14) is tested by means of quality module as a work module (22).
  11. Method according to any one of Claims 8 to 10, wherein a manufacturing system (10) according to any one of Claims 1 to 7 is provided.
EP20161270.2A 2019-03-08 2020-03-05 Production system and method for producing a fibre composite component Active EP3705280B1 (en)

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Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE102019105999.2A DE102019105999A1 (en) 2019-03-08 2019-03-08 Manufacturing plant and method for manufacturing a fiber composite component

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1690653A1 (en) * 2005-02-09 2006-08-16 VisiCon Automatisierungstechnik GmbH Robot, in particular articulated robot, with capacitor
WO2007076775A1 (en) * 2005-12-13 2007-07-12 Institut Für Verbundwerkstoffe Gmbh Pressing device comprising a contact roller
DE102010015027B4 (en) 2010-04-13 2011-11-24 Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. Fiber-laying device
US9429940B2 (en) * 2011-01-05 2016-08-30 Sphero, Inc. Self propelled device with magnetic coupling
DE102015100102B4 (en) * 2015-01-07 2018-03-29 Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. Plant and method for producing a fibrous fiber structure
EP3173218B1 (en) * 2015-11-24 2020-11-11 Airbus Defence and Space GmbH Device and method for producing a fibre compound product

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